They're the colours of the piece I based it on (an Henri Toulouse Lautrec poster). But yes they are sombre. It has a lot of problems with it as a cover image but I hasn't really drawn anything proper for about two weeks so I made the effort to finish it.

Well, I know that's how you work best, scribbling until you find your way. No one ever comes up with The One on the first try. I know my news scripts are terrible until I run them past others.It's beautifully done, even with the colors.

THAT IS SO HENRI TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AHH oh my i love it so!!! you could take it one step further and make a cover out of an actual lithograph!! then you would be the coolest cartoonist living and your power would be unstoppable

i am imagining a whole series of SGR-famous paintings now. klimt's "the kiss" with the boy in a devil bear headlock!! s-so amazingg

I think the most obvious thing is the big, empty bit in the top left corner. If you can think of anything else to use it for, you should, although I don't know if cafe prints are an area you're looking to move into.

John A, this is the first time I have ever said aloud to myself, "I would buy a print of that art piece and hang it on my wall!" while perusing your artings. It is not that I do not enjoy your other delightful images, but this confluence of art nouveau stylings, Shelley's minxy wink, and the overall fanciness of the mood just pushes it over the edge. In short: I enjoy this a lot.